Free Irrefutable by Dale Roberts Page A

our victims are on this list. She thinks the cases are related. Stealing those files wasn’t about money. It was to find victims.”
    “This is interesting.” Liz said, “I felt that the victims weren’t chosen at random, now it seems certain. Our suspect created a pool. These people represent something or someone. They may be a substitute for the person toward whom he feels the need to strike out.”
    “I knew this would give you a different perspective.”
    “It certainly does. I’ll start working on this.”
    “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but some of the names on there are very influential people. The rapes have already made the news. We can’t let it out that these cases are related to the dealership. Those victims have all been notified. If they learn this is really a list of targets, things could get ugly.”
    Liz scanned the file, apparently recognizing some of the names.
    “There is something else.” Alex said.
    “What’s that?”
    “If you look toward the bottom of the third page…”
    Liz turned the page. As she scanned to the bottom, Alex knew when she saw it. Liz slowly looked up at him. “Oh my God.”

Chapter Ten
     
     
    Carmen stood in front of E.A. Perry High School. She took a step back as the white Toyota Camry pulled up to the curb beside her.
    “Hungry?” Janet said.
    “Starving.” Carmen said. She walked in front of the car to the passenger’s side, looking down at the license plate. “So, what does your plate mean, NSANE?”
    “Oh, I thought it was cute. It combines my job with my personality.”
    Carmen didn’t get it but it wasn’t worth pursuing.
    “What would you like?” Janet asked.
    “Well, we only have thirty minutes so something quick and close. How ‘bout Taco Bell?”
    “Taco Bell it is.” Janet said, as she pulled out of the drive. “So, how’s the ankle?”
    “Fine. It doesn’t hurt at all. By the way, thanks for being so nice the other day. And I’m sorry for how my dad acted. For some reason he doesn’t want me talking to you. Actually, I don’t think it’s you, he doesn’t want me talking to anyone.”
    “At all?”
    “Not about my mom.”
    “Well, some people are just naturally more private. They are afraid of what people will think, especially if they have some guilt over something they’ve done.”
    “I think he does feel guilty for my mom’s death, but it wasn’t his fault.”
    “So how did she die?”
    Carmen looked down at her knees and took a deep breath. “She was shot. They think it was either a random thing or she was hit by a stray bullet.”
    “Did they find who did it?”
    “No. That’s the thing. Not only does my dad feel responsible, but he feels like a failure because he couldn’t solve her case.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry.” Janet patted Carmen’s knee. “Where was she when it happened?”
    “I’m not sure. Her and dad had some kind of fight. She got mad and left.”
    “So she was in a car?”
    “Yea.” Carmen was silent for a few moments. “Could we change the subject? I really don’t like talking about it.”
    “I think it helps to talk about things. That way people don’t think you have secrets. I guess that’s why I talk so openly about my childhood. Even though I was made to believe it was my fault.”
    “So, what happened exactly?” Carmen asked. “If it’s not too personal.”
    “Not at all. My father used to rape me on a regular basis, three, four times a week. He would even allow his friends, poker buddies, to have their way with me. I had an older sister but, as far as I know, he never messed with her. When I tried to tell my mother, she would call me a liar. It went on for years, until one of my teachers noticed bruises on my arms.” Janet made a ring around her wrist with her thumb and finger. “She started asking questions. I told her what was going on and she called the police. My dad was arrested.”
    “Did he go to prison?”
    “He spent one night in jail.” Janet said as she